Prosecutors rested their case in a quadruple-murder case hearing Thursday, but one of the longer preliminary hearings in recent Tulsa County memory may have more miles to travel before reaching its conclusion.
The parties will return to court Friday to resolve separate motions to suppress evidence filed on behalf of Cedric Poore and his brother, James Poore.
The defense typically does not call witnesses at a preliminary, but attorney John Echols has said he intends to call a number of witnesses to testify, which could significantly extend the hearing.
A preliminary hearing is intended to determine whether probable cause exists to believe that a crime has occurred and to believe that the defendant committed it. Some judges cut off hearings after they have heard enough to decide whether to bind a defendant over for trial.
A court filing by Echols maintains that every Oklahoma defendant has the right to use a preliminary hearing to preserve testimony of relevant and material witnesses, to discover and probe the state's evidence in order to prepare for any subsequent trial, to present witnesses supporting defense motions, and to present statutory and constitutional defenses.
In court Thursday, a Tulsa police detective testified about the scene at the Fairmont Terrace apartment complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue, where the killings occurred on Jan. 7.
Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23, were all bound and shot in the head, detective Mark Robinson testified.
Forty-caliber shell casings were recovered in the bedroom, Robinson said.
Police have said spent shell casings found at the crime scene are the same make and caliber as .40-caliber shell casings found in the backyard of a Poore family member.
Photos of the scene, some of which depicted the shooting victims, were introduced as evidence at the hearing.
Cedric Poore, 39, and James Poore, 32, are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder and two count of robbery with a firearm.
Rebeika and Kayetie Powell, who were sisters, lived in the apartment with Nunley, and Jackson, a neighbor, had stopped by to check on them that day. Witnesses have testified that James Poore said he planned to steal drugs and money at the women's apartment.
Tulsa County Special Judge Stephen Clark is presiding over the hearing, which will be in its seventh day of testimony on Friday.
Bill Braun 918-581-8455
bill.braun@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Evidence motions to extend hearing
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